CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Several companies have made plans to offer free broadband access to families that may be struggling with work and school closures in the wake of coronavirus.

Comcast

“During this extraordinary time, it is vital that as many Americans as possible stay connected to the internet – for education, work, and personal health reasons,” said Dave Watson, Comcast Cable Chief Executive Officer. “Our employees also live and work in virtually every community we serve, and we all share the same belief that it’s our Company’s responsibility to step up and help out.”

According to statement from Comcast officials, the company will implement the following new policies for the next 60 days:

• Xfinity WiFi Free For Everyone: Xfinity WiFi hotspots across the country will be available to anyone who needs them for free – including non-Xfinity Internet subscribers. For a map of Xfinity WiFi hotspots, visit www.xfinity.com/wifi. Once at a hotspot, consumers should select the “xfinitywifi” network name in the list of available hotspots, and then launch a browser.
• Pausing Our Data Plan: With so many people working and educating from home, we want our customers to access the internet without thinking about data plans. While the vast majority of our customers do not come close to using 1TB of data in a month, we are pausing our data plans for 60 days giving all customers Unlimited data for no additional charge.
• No Disconnects or Late Fees: We will not disconnect a customer’s internet service or assess late fees if they contact us and let us know that they can’t pay their bills during this period. Our care teams will be available to offer flexible payment options and can help find other solutions.
• News, Information and Educational Content on X1 and Flex: For those with school-age students at home, we’ve created new educational collections for all grade levels in partnership with Common Sense Media. Just say “education” into your X1 or Flex voice remote.

Charter

Charter will offer free Spectrum broadband and Wi-Fi access for 60 days to household with K-12 and/or college students who do not already have a Spectrum broadband subscription at any service level up to 100 MBPS.

Charter Communications announced the following:
•  Charter will partner with school districts to ensure local communities are aware of these tools to help students learn remotely.
•  Charter will open its Wi-Fi hotspots across their footprint for public use
•  For eligible low-income households without school-aged children, Charter continues to offer Spectrum Internet Assist, a low-cost broadband program delivering speeds of 30 Mbps.

This service is to help ease the burden of a delay in work or school due to COVID-19. To enroll call 1-844-488-8395. Installation fees will be waived for new student households.